Treatment varies from person to person, but the goal of treatment is to minimize pain and improve joint function. Many methods can provide short-term pain relief. Who can treat arthritic pain? Many different physicians can treat arthritic pain, including rheumatologists (rheumatoid arthritis), surgeons (osteoarthritis), physical therapists and pain physicians. The goal of treatment by these physicians is to address all aspects of the cause of the pain and to help the patient manage the pain. Both the doctor and the patient play an important role in the management of pain. How is arthritic pain treated? Treatment varies from person to person, but the goal of treatment is to minimize pain and improve joint function. Many approaches can provide short-term pain relief. The following are described separately: (a) Short-term options 1. Drugs: Because the inflammatory response is mild in patients with osteoarthritis, painkillers such as paracetamol are effective. For rheumatoid arthritis patients, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are more effective. 2. Physical therapy: The need for physical therapy depends on the type of arthritis and should be decided after discussion with the doctor. Moist heat therapy, such as a water bath; dry heat therapy, such as an electric blanket, can relieve pain after about 15 minutes of contact with the painful joint. Placing an ice pack (or frozen vegetables) on the painful area for about 15 minutes can be effective in reducing edema and pain. However, if the blood circulation is poor, ice should not be used. 3.Joint protection: The use of a brace or bracket to rest the joint and protect it from accidental injury is very useful to protect the joint, and the physician or physical therapist will advise accordingly. 4. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation: A small transcutaneous electrical stimulation device can transmit mild electrical impulses to the nerve endings located under the skin in the painful area, which can relieve some inflammatory joint pain. The specific mechanism is unclear, probably by blocking the pain signal to the central transmission and correction of pain sensation works. 5, massage: Among the methods of pain relief, the massage method, also known as massage, will put the painful muscles in a state of mild shock, which will increase blood flow and increase the temperature of the painful area, and the pain is relieved accordingly. However, inflammation involving the joints is very sensitive, so you must be very experienced massage therapist to use the therapy. 6, acupuncture: only registered and certified acupuncturists can use this therapy. The insertion of needles into special acupuncture points may cause the brain or nervous system to release more natural chemicals that can relieve pain, thus relieving pain. (ii) Long-term relief therapy Medications: 1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, can relieve pain and inflammation and are suitable for long-term and short-term relief therapy. 2, relief of disease anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs are indicated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who do not respond well to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This class of drugs includes methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, penicillamine and gold agents. These drugs are thought to correct the abnormal immune system abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis. The use of such drugs requires careful monitoring by an internist for adverse drug reactions. 3. Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are very effective in the treatment of arthritis and can be taken orally or by injection. Prednisone is the longest corticosteroid used to treat rheumatoid joints by oral administration. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, doctors inject prednisone into the affected joints to relieve pain. However, frequent intra-articular injections may lead to cartilage damage, so this treatment is usually used 1-2 times in a year.